Tougher state law means more Puget Sound burn bans

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SEATTLE (AP) - Air quality officials say Puget Sound residents who burn wood in their homes should expect more burn bans this winter as a tougher state law goes into effect.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says the burns bans will be called at lower pollution levels than in previous years to protect public health. The bans are expected to be longer and more frequent.

When a level 2 burn ban is called, those who burn wood to heat their homes will be asked to stop using all wood- and pellet-stoves, even those that are certified. Those who heat exclusively with wood are exempt.

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SEATTLE -- If Seattle was awarded a trophy for every heat record we've broken over the past year and a half...we'd have to build a new case. In fact, the "trophy" awarded Friday should probably be among the larger in the display shelf.

Firefighters, by the nature of their job, already have one of the hottest jobs you could imagine. But what about when Mother Nature brings blazing temperatures on the outside as well?

When a massive fire broke out in an apartment building on Queen Anne Hill on July 1 , firefighters were called in from as far away as Redmond, Shoreline and Bellevue as temperatures were sitting at 90 degrees. Why so many firefighters from all over? To make sure there were plenty on hand to rotate in and out so firefighters didn't overheat.

And with 90 degrees suddenly common this summer around Seattle, I wondered how local fire departments were dealing with the relentless heat, and how they manage to keep firefighters cool when their surroundings are burning up.